Not sure if it's ever been mentioned before. If you go by how Balki introduces himself to Larry in the pilot episode, he says his Philo, his 5th cousin three times removed, is the step uncle of Larry's father. A step uncle is no blood relation so therefore Larry & Balki weren't really blood relatives. Just kinda funny since they always call each other cousin. They really were perfect strangers.

I have always wondered about that. Balki says it so fast you just gotta think they must be cousins. Thanks for the clear up anyway it all worked out for the best.:)

Maybe they just thought of each other as cousins out of sentiment.

I remember that quote from the pilot and thought the same thing. Once the series progressed, I never gave it a second thought.

You make a good point --- although I have a few distant and step family membes that I call cousin --- guess it's all relative -- LOL.

Actually, in a later episode, they clarify the relationship. I can't remember the entire story, but from what was said it seems that they shared one great-great-great-grandparent - which would make them half-fifth cousins. So there was an actual relationship - but it was very, very distant.

Actually, in a later episode, they clarify the relationship. I can't remember the entire story, but from what was said it seems that they shared one great-great-great-grandparent - which would make them half-fifth cousins. So there was an actual relationship - but it was very, very distant.


If true then technically it would make them half fourth cousins. Just to be technical lol :crazy:

For the premise of this show to work they couldn't have been TOO closely related. Larry can't also be Mypiot, or closely enough descended from Mypiots to be familiar with Mypiot culture. And he and Balki have to be very different.